The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) has issued its stance on the violence meted out to journalists during a Friday night drug raid in Nairobi’s Kilimani area.
The authority has stated that charges will be brought against the perpetrators while condemning the Violence.
“The Authority takes great exception to the violent nature of the response to the crackdown on illegal shisha activities in the country and reminds the public that attacks on members of the press, security officers, and other authorized personnel carrying out their duties are punishable by law.”
“Journalists and police officers while on duty are legally mandated to execute their assignment without threats, intimidation, violence, or any form of coercion,”
Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale also condemned the attacks adding that owners of Shisha dens must face the law.
“The Public Health (Control of Shisha Smoking) Rules, 2017 prohibit shisha import, manufacture, sale, use, advertising, promotion, and distribution. Regardless of your status and political affiliation owners of Shisha dens must face the law. Attacking journalists and Law enforcement officers is illegal, Primitive and immoral. We must protect the family from Drug abuse.”Stated CS Duale.
According to police report OB 3/06/01/2024 filed at Kileleshwa Police Station, the journalists were covering a Saturday morning raid conducted by officers from the National Agency for the Campaign Against Drug Abuse (NACADA).
“It was reported by Mr Omerikwa, CEO NACADA and Mr Kosgei(SP), head of enforcement NACADA that they were conducting a Shisha operation at Kettle house,” read part of the report.
Bouncers at the club turned on the journalists and officers leading to damage of equipment and the reporters sustaining injuries.
Jane Kibira from Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) was reportedly stabbed with a knife on her back.
Her counterpart from Citizen TV Lawrence Tikolo was assaulted and had his camera destroyed.
Other journalists who were caught up in the chaos reported loss of their mobile phones, and hard disk devices as they were also assaulted.
Police officers who accompanied the NACADA team during the raid were also attacked.
“David Ousa NACADA driver assaulted. CPL Joseph Rutto NO 80077 was assaulted. PC Joel Nyaga NO 87286 was assaulted. PC Bonface Mutisya NO 99825 assaulted,” read part of the report.
They reportedly called for backup and police arrested 21 people who are in custody pending arraignment.
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